Sri Lanka has highlighted a series of judicial reforms, including the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, at the 63rd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, as part of the new Government’s efforts to strengthen judicial independence and build a more effective justice system.
Addressing the Council, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva, Sumith Dassanayake, said the Government had recognised challenges within the country’s judicial and prison systems and was taking steps to address them.
He said the Government remained committed to safeguarding judicial independence while introducing reforms aimed at strengthening the courts, expediting cases and reducing the backlog of pending cases.
Dassanayake highlighted the proposed 22nd Amendment, saying it seeks to address issues relating to the retirement age of judges, retain experienced judicial professionals and further strengthen the capacity of the courts.
The reforms were intended to ensure that judicial expertise is retained within the system while enabling courts to deal more effectively with the large number of pending cases, he said.
He also said the Government was addressing challenges within the prison system, including overcrowding, as part of wider judicial and prison-sector reforms.
Sri Lanka’s comments came in response to the latest written update of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Sri Lanka, presented at the opening of the Council session.
Dassanayake said Sri Lanka had taken note of the update and reaffirmed its continued engagement with the UNHRC, while calling on the Council to assess the country’s situation in a balanced, objective and constructive manner.
He said the Government was pursuing an agenda aimed at promoting reconciliation and institutional reform despite external pressures.
Dassanayake reiterated Sri Lanka’s opposition to Resolution 6/1 and the extension of the mandate relating to the external evidence-gathering mechanism, arguing that such measures could create divisions among communities and undermine reconciliation efforts.
He also outlined plans to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act and replace it with new legislation, as well as proposed amendments to the Online Safety Act.
Measures were also being pursued through the Office on Missing Persons and the Office for Reparations to address outstanding issues, while steps relating to land releases, compensation and the return of refugees were also underway, he said.
The 63rd Session of the UNHRC opened in Geneva on Monday (7) and will continue until 7 October, with Sri Lanka’s human rights record, accountability and reconciliation process once again receiving international attention.